How a Cameroonian can Register/Incorporate a Company in Nigeria from Cameroon (Cost & Requirement)

Introduction

With a population of over 220 million people and a GDP estimated at $477 billion (World Bank, 2025), Nigeria continues to position itself as Africa’s largest economy and most vibrant investment hub. Cameroon, sharing a border of over 1,600 kilometers with Nigeria, has emerged as one of its most strategic trade partners in Central Africa. Cross-border transactions in petroleum products, agriculture, and manufacturing goods have grown significantly since the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

As trade and industrial linkages deepen, Cameroonian investors increasingly seek to formalise operations or expand into Nigeria. The question often asked is:

“How can a Cameroonian register or incorporate a company in Nigeria, directly from Cameroon, without physical travel?”

This comprehensive 2025 guide provides the complete process, cost, and compliance requirements for registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Nigeria and opening a corporate bank account remotely.

1. Overview of the CAC’s AI-Powered Incorporation System

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria’s business registration authority, has fully digitised its operations under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
The Commission now operates an AI-powered e-registration portal that allows both local and foreign investors to register companies entirely online, no travel, paperwork, or courier dispatch required.

Key Advantages:

• 100% remote incorporation from anywhere in the world (including Cameroon).

• Digital verification of documents and online issuance of incorporation certificates.

• Reduced turnaround time (7–10 working days).

• Secure compliance checks integrated with FIRS and SCUML databases.

This means a Cameroonian can legally incorporate a Nigerian business without visiting Nigeria, while ensuring compliance with national and international investment standards.

2. Why Nigerian Incorporation Appeals to Cameroonian Investors

Cameroon’s economy, with GDP around $45 billion, is expanding steadily under sectors like agribusiness, construction, and energy. However, Nigeria’s scale offers unmatched access to a regional market of over 400 million consumers under ECOWAS and AfCFTA.

Nigerian incorporation offers Cameroonian investors these strategic advantages:

• Gateway Access: Nigeria acts as a gateway for West African trade routes and ECOWAS logistics corridors.

• Repatriation Rights: 100% repatriation of profits and capital allowed for foreign investors.

• Tax Incentives: Eligibility for pioneer status, export processing zones (EPZs), and sectoral tax holidays.

• Business Expansion: Easier contract bidding and partnerships with Nigerian oil, construction, and manufacturing firms.

• Regional Integration: Seamless compliance under ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).

By registering a company in Nigeria, Cameroonian entrepreneurs can formalise trade, expand supply chains, and participate in larger projects across West Africa.

3. Requirements for Incorporation

The Private Limited Liability Company (Ltd) remains the most preferred structure for both Nigerian and foreign investors.
Below is a breakdown of requirements for Cameroonian nationals incorporating a Nigerian company:

A. Company Name Reservation

Submit proposed company name via the CAC portal for availability check and approval.
Approved names are reserved for 60 days.

B. Particulars of Directors, Shareholders, and Secretary

You will need to provide:

• Full Name

• Date of Birth

• Nationality

• Gender

• Phone Number & Email Address

• Residential Address

• Identification Document (Passport or National ID)

C. Shareholding Structure

You can define ownership as:

• Cameroonian shareholder – 80%

• Nigerian shareholder – 20% (optional for compliance convenience)

D. Nature of Business (Objects)

State your intended business operations — e.g., export trading, construction, logistics, tech solutions, or agricultural processing.

E. Nigerian Registered Office

A Nigerian address is mandatory. If you do not yet have one, a professional registered office service can be provided during incorporation.

F. Digital Signature and ID Uploads

Each director/shareholder provides a scanned signature and passport photo.

4. Can a Cameroonian Be the Sole Director and Shareholder?

Yes. Nigerian law under CAMA 2020 allows 100% foreign ownership of companies.
A Cameroonian can be the sole director and shareholder.

However, operationally, some functions, particularly banking and compliance filings, require the director to have:

• BVN (Bank Verification Number)

• NIN (National Identification Number)

Both are only obtainable with a Nigerian residency permit (CERPAC).

Recommendation:
Until residency documents are secured, appoint a temporary Nigerian director.
This ensures smooth compliance and enables bank account opening while full ownership remains with the Cameroonian investor.

5. Step-by-Step Incorporation Process

Step 1: Name Reservation

Log on to the CAC AI portal → submit  name → get approval within Minutes of submission.

Step 2: Fill Company Details

Select “Limited Liability Company.” Enter:

• Names of directors and shareholders

• Share structure

• Registered office address

• Nature of business

Step 3: Upload Documents

Attach:

• Passports or National IDs

• Signatures

• Passport photos

• Nigerian address proof

Step 4: CAC Review & Approval

AI verification + human review → approval typically within 7–10 working days.

Step 5: Download Certificate

The Certificate of Incorporation, MEMART, and Status Report are issued digitally and downloadable from anywhere.

6. Post-Incorporation Compliance Requirements

After incorporation, compliance with fiscal and anti-money-laundering regulations is mandatory.

7. Corporate Bank Account Opening

A Nigerian corporate bank account can be opened once TIN is obtained.
Banks (Zenith, UBA, GTBank, Access, etc.) require at least one director with:

• Valid BVN/NIN

• Nigerian residency documentation (CERPAC)

• Proof of incorporation and TIN

Options for Cameroonian Investors:

• Appoint a temporary Nigerian director for account activation; or

• Use a licensed professional director service for compliance.

Once the Cameroonian investor obtains residency, the director role can be reverted.

8. Estimated Cost Breakdown

Total Estimated Package: $3,650
Completion Timeline: 30–35 working days

9. Immigration and Legal Notes for Cameroonian Investors

To operate fully as a managing director or resident executive in Nigeria, Cameroonians must secure:

1. Expatriate Quota Approval – Ministry of Interior authorisation for foreign management roles.

2. STR Visa – Subject-to-Regularization visa issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Yaoundé or Douala.

3. CERPAC Card – Nigerian residency permit enabling BVN, NIN, and bank operations.

These steps ensure full compliance and the ability to act as signatory and director in Nigeria.

10. Cameroon–Nigeria Bilateral Trade Relations

Cameroon and Nigeria share one of Africa’s busiest borders, with trade volumes exceeding $900 million annually (UNCTAD, 2024).
Major traded goods include cement, petroleum, food products, and construction materials.

Cameroonian investors stand to benefit from:

• Nigeria’s Import Substitution Policy encouraging regional manufacturing partnerships.

• Cross-border infrastructure projects, including the Enugu–Bamenda Highway under ECOWAS funding.

• Agro-allied and logistics collaboration, connecting Cameroon’s Douala Port to Nigerian markets.

By registering in Nigeria, Cameroonian firms gain formal access to Nigerian tenders, trade fairs, and public–private partnership frameworks.

11. Benefits of Registering a Nigerian Company from Cameroon

• Remote Incorporation: 100% online via CAC’s AI portal.
• Market Access: Entry into Nigeria’s 220M population and ECOWAS 400M bloc.
• Ownership Control: 100% foreign equity permitted.
• Banking Flexibility: Multi-currency corporate accounts available.
• Tax Incentives: Eligibility for pioneer status and export zone benefits.
• Legal Certainty: Protected under Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) Act.

12. Common Misconceptions

13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use my Cameroonian address as registered office?
A: No. A Nigerian address is mandatory. You may use a professional registered office.

Q2: How long does the process take?
A: Approximately 30–35 working days for full completion.

Q3: Is physical presence required at any point?
A: Not for registration. Only if you wish to operate or open the bank account yourself.

Q4: Can profits be repatriated to Cameroon?
A: Yes, through authorised commercial banks under CBN foreign exchange guidelines.

Q5: What is the recommended share capital?
A: ₦100 million for foreign-owned companies, to qualify for investment permits.

14. Conclusion

The path to registering a company in Nigeria from Cameroon has never been simpler or more transparent.
Through the CAC’s AI-driven incorporation portal and Nigeria’s pro-investment framework, Cameroonian entrepreneurs can now establish fully compliant companies remotely, obtain tax certifications digitally, and enter one of Africa’s largest consumer markets seamlessly.

Whether you are a Cameroonian logistics operator, agro-industrial firm, tech startup, or professional consultancy, incorporating a Nigerian company opens access to regional growth opportunities, connecting Central Africa’s industries to West Africa’s commercial powerhouse.

By leveraging these digital reforms and bilateral frameworks, Cameroon–Nigeria investment relations will continue to strengthen, building a new bridge for regional trade, innovation, and economic transformation.